V: The Second Generation

This appears to be a reality now on the official Kenneth Johnson website.

The book comes out in October of this year, and the movie and/or miniseries is currently in production for release in 2008.

Ignore the V: The Final Battle and V: The Series.

Kenneth Johnson was barely, if at all, involved with either of these.

This one picks up 20 years after Julie (Faye Grant) and Elias (Michael Wright) spray the letter "V" over one of the Vistors' posters. This sequel will go with Kenneth Johnson's original storyline which was that the "enemies" of the Visitors mentioned by Martin in the original series will show up at some point.

Sounds kind of like THE DONNER INCIDENT with which we are all familiar.

It will be interesting to, at least, see a version of Johnson's original intentions.

I had a thread on this last year, when it looked like the project would be scrapped.

Originally they were going to re-make the miniseries, although this was not Johnson's first choice. Now it looks like the sequel is more or less a go (pending procurement of the necessary funds), and the book is in press (you can order it online), scheduled for an october release.

Supposedly Singer, Grant, Badler, and Englund (at least) are all currently signed on and probably shooting as we speak.

This story scraps everything, but the original miniseries, and it takes place 20+ years later or so. The Resistance still exists, but has not had the success that V: The Final Battle gave us. Instead, the vast majority of humanity has, apparently, been seduced by the Visitors because of things like technological advancements, etc that the Visitors can offer. They have accepted Visitor occupation and believe Visitor propaganda; still not realizing or believing that many humans are being offered up as a lizard buffet.

In the original mini-series, Martin (a friendly Visitor), speaks briefly of using some of humanity (probably, the strongest) as people who will be mentally converted to serve their leader in his military to fight an "enemy" that we know nothing about. Marc Singer's character, Mike Donovan, ask Martin if they can find a way to contact this "enemy". His philosophy is sort of the whole "enemy of my enemy is my friend" thing. Not much else was said about this in the original miniseries, but the original plan that Ken Johnson had was write a sequel miniseries which revealed who that "enemy" of the Visitors was. However, as with the Salkind's and Donner, whoever has the gold makes the rules; therefore, his original concept was scrapped in many ways for, in my opinion, a still good story, but just not his original intent.

On the side, I watched the original miniseries last night. Even though Diana's unhinged jaw looks totally fake when she puts the guinea pig into her mouth, the lump in her throat just after that is, to me anyway, amazing looking. It looks, absolutely, real. I don't think CGI effects could have pulled that off.

Supposedly Singer, Grant, Badler, and Englund (at least) are all currently signed on and probably shooting as we speak.

This story scraps everything, but the original miniseries, and it takes place 20+ years later or so. The Resistance still exists, but has not had the success that V: The Final Battle gave us. Instead, the vast majority of humanity has, apparently, been seduced by the Visitors because of things like technological advancements, etc that the Visitors can offer. They have accepted Visitor occupation and believe Visitor propaganda; still not realizing or believing that many humans are being offered up as a lizard buffet.

In the original mini-series, Martin (a friendly Visitor), speaks briefly of using some of humanity (probably, the strongest) as people who will be mentally converted to serve their leader in his military to fight an "enemy" that we know nothing about. Marc Singer's character, Mike Donovan, ask Martin if they can find a way to contact this "enemy". His philosophy is sort of the whole "enemy of my enemy is my friend" thing. Not much else was said about this in the original miniseries, but the original plan that Ken Johnson had was write a sequel miniseries which revealed who that "enemy" of the Visitors was. However, as with the Salkind's and Donner, whoever has the gold makes the rules; therefore, his original concept was scrapped in many ways for, in my opinion, a still good story, but just not his original intent.

On the side, I watched the original miniseries last night. Even though Diana's unhinged jaw looks totally fake when she puts the guinea pig into her mouth, the lump in her throat just after that is, to me anyway, amazing looking. It looks, absolutely, real. I don't think CGI effects could have pulled that off.

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Just making some corrections.

Actually, the last scene of the original miniseries is Julie and Elias spraying a red "V" on the door of the SETI dish building instead of a poster. They have a friend there who is sending a signal into space in hopes of, eventually, reaching the enemy of the Visitors.

One thing that I do hope, is that they use the opening music from V: The Final Battle even though Ken Johnson had nothing to do with that series because the music, as one person put it on youtube.com, is brutal.

U know, @ the end of the min-series, Grant or Singer mentioned that "hopefully there are enemies of "the visitors" somewhere in space...an enemy of my enemy is my friend--dialogue. They didn't go any further into this, I was looking forward 2 new aliens in the TV series, but got the smaller resistance instead (Kyle/and Ironside's character).Did Kenneth J. write into this storyline, before taken leave of the series? (New aliens?)

One thing that I do hope, is that they use the opening music from V: The Final Battle even though Ken Johnson had nothing to do with that series because the music, as one person put it on youtube.com, is brutal.

Roger that....

I have tapes of the Final Battle, and the DVD of the Original Miniseries (I need to get the Final Battle), and the opening theme still gives me chills.

I liked the Final Battle though; given that the creative direction changed hands, I thought they did an awesome job with the tone, action, and direction of the story.

Of course, it will be amazing to see Johnson's original vision, especially with the same actors picking up their roles.

U know, @ the end of the min-series, Grant or Singer mentioned that "hopefully there are enemies of "the visitors" somewhere in space...an enemy of my enemy is my friend--dialogue. They didn't go any further into this, I was looking forward 2 new aliens in the TV series, but got the smaller resistance instead (Kyle/and Ironside's character).Did Kenneth J. write into this storyline, before taken leave of the series? (New aliens?)

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That was KJ's original intent, but the idea was scrapped by the rulers of NBC. Don't get me wrong, I like V: The Final Battle the same way I like Lester's theatrical version of Superman II. It was still a good story, but it will be neat to see KJ's original vision just as we recently got to see Donner's original intentions for Superman II. It will probably make a lot more sense and fit a lot tighter with the direction the original series.

Just to let you know, I have heard that Singer may not be returning. I appears that Mike Donovan's character is not in the new book. He is, apparently, killed by the Visitors somewhere in the last twenty years between the original mini-series and this story. As stated before, The Final Battle and The Series are not considered canon for the purposes of KJ's original story.

Hopefully, this is just a rumor unless they are going to focus on his son or something.

U know, @ the end of the min-series, Grant or Singer mentioned that "hopefully there are enemies of "the visitors" somewhere in space...an enemy of my enemy is my friend--dialogue. They didn't go any further into this, I was looking forward 2 new aliens in the TV series, but got the smaller resistance instead (Kyle/and Ironside's character).Did Kenneth J. write into this storyline, before taken leave of the series? (New aliens?)

Click to expand...

That was KJ's original intent, but the idea was scrapped by the rulers of NBC. Don't get me wrong, I like V: The Final Battle the same way I like Lester's theatrical version of Superman II. It was still a good story, but it will be neat to see KJ's original vision just as we recently got to see Donner's original intentions for Superman II. It will probably make a lot more sense and fit a lot tighter with the direction the original series.

Just to let you know, I have heard that Singer may not be returning. I appears that Mike Donovan's character is not in the new book. He is, apparently, killed by the Visitors somewhere in the last twenty years between the original mini-series and this story. As stated before, The Final Battle and The Series are not considered canon for the purposes of KJ's original story.

Hopefully, this is just a rumor unless they are going to focus on his son or something.

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Or bring the character back brainwashed.

That being said, I do hope the bring aboard Ironside's character. I liked Ham Tyler.

That was KJ's original intent, but the idea was scrapped by the rulers of NBC. Don't get me wrong, I like V: The Final Battle the same way I like Lester's theatrical version of Superman II. It was still a good story, but it will be neat to see KJ's original vision just as we recently got to see Donner's original intentions for Superman II. It will probably make a lot more sense and fit a lot tighter with the direction the original series.

Speaking of the Donner Cut, I bought it along with the Ultimate Collectors Set...I liked the Donner Cut but not as much as the released Superman 2. It (D2) was a lot tighter, which made for a less humour version & I just could'nt get that Supe's got back his powers by getting a seizure, touching Jorel's hologram. Clark talking with his mother about Lois made more story sense. By the way, will they release "V" again for dvd? (In time 4 the 2nd series)

okay, V came out when i was in high school and fell in love with him. i loved the series probably because of him. but diana was like the uber villain. she frightened me. whenever i need cahones, i think of her and what would she do.

I just want to correct some things. I've been following the story for awhile now.

Shooting has not started yet.

KJ has stated that Singer, Englund, Badler, and Grant are all "on-board".

Donovan has "appeared" to have died in between the original and this one...but it has been treated very wink-wink nudge nudge basically saying he's not dead and will return somewhere in the story. I don't think that's very spoilerish considering KJ has said Singer is onboard.

As of now it looks like a 3 hour tele-movie is what they are shooting for. It will not be NBC.

There are about 24 principal characters.

The new aliens will indeed be heavily involved.

As for Ham Tyler...I doubt it, but it's not out of the realm of possibility. While they are ignoring the Final Battle and the Series, Kenneth Johnson was heavily involved with the original ideas behind FB...including creating Ham Tyler.

Of course in an old Starlog issue, KJ talked about it. He said that Ham was going to be in a wheelchair. And they had this great scene written where Ham and DOnovan argue and Donovan is about to haul off and whack Tyler, which Kenny thought was great because you never see the hero hit a guy in a wheelchair, but Tyler does a little wheelie and knocks Donovan on his butt, saying "See that's your problem Gooder, you're not a killer"

In addition he mentioned that the StarChild was never a part of his script and the ending had Martin flying the mothership into deep space before it blew up while Donovan and Julie escaped.

SO, Ham may be involved...and don't be surprised if he's in a wheelchair

Warner Home Video is securing funds for this project at a $19mil budget. One thing not mentioned but a definite possibility is the idea of releasing it straight to DVD.

It would be interesting if the story was turned around to Donovan being brainwashed/nearly brainwashed instead of Julie. The Heroine saving the anti - hero instead of the hero saving the Damsel. Nice twist.

Given the character has been introduced as Michael Ironside, may tie his hands. It's possible they won't use him at all...but it's possible they use him as he is (no wheelchair). We'll find out soon enough